On his return he found that Rolf had cut up a great pile of wood, but not a word passed between them.

The look of sullen anger and rebellion on Rolf's face was changing to one of stony despair.

What was passing in each mind the other could not divine.
The evening meal was eaten in silence; then Quonab smoked for an hour, both staring into the fire.

A barred owl hooted and laughed over their heads, causing the dog to jump up and bark at the sound that ordinarily he would have heeded not at all.

Then silence was restored, and the red man's hidden train of thought was in a flash revealed.
"Rolf, let's go to the North Woods!" It was another astounding idea.